Tank Wars review
8.5/10
By the GAME SPACE editorial team · Updated October 3, 2026 · How we rate games
Why these scores
Base defence, many bonus types and a built-in level editor give it almost unlimited content.
Four-way tank movement is easy to grasp but more precise with a keyboard than on-screen buttons.
The level editor lets you create new challenges indefinitely.
Tanks explode, but there is no gore.
Our take
A rich take on the classic maze tank battle. Base defence keeps every level tactical, the bonuses are varied, and the built-in level constructor gives it a lifespan few browser games have.
What we like
- +Built-in level editor to make and save your own maps
- +Many bonus types, including water freezing and base upgrades
- +Tactical, non-graphic combat
What could be better
- −Precise four-way movement is easier with a keyboard than with on-screen controls
What is Tank Wars?
Defend your base in a classic maze tank battle — then build your own levels.
Tank Wars is a top-down tank battle in the tradition of the classic arcade maze shooters. Each level is a grid of brick walls, steel blocks, water, trees and bridges, with your base sitting at the bottom of the map. Enemy tanks pour in from spawn points at the top, and you must destroy them all while making sure none of them destroys your base.
The game goes well beyond a straight remake. Bonuses drop during battle — extra lives, shields, a timer that freezes enemies, bombs, weapon upgrades, a base upgrade that reinforces your walls and even a bonus that freezes water so you can drive across it. There is also a full level constructor where you can design, save and play your own maps.
How the action plays out
Enemy tanks appear at spawn points and roam the map, firing as they go. Brick walls can be shot away, steel blocks resist ordinary shells, water blocks movement and trees hide tanks from view. You navigate this maze, destroying enemies while keeping them away from your base at the bottom of the screen. If the base is destroyed or you run out of lives, the game is over.
Clearing all the enemy tanks completes the level, and your score and awards are tallied. Levels get harder as more and tougher enemies appear. Between battles you can visit the constructor, place blocks on an empty grid and build your own challenges, which are saved alongside the built-in levels.
Controls
- ▸Drive your tank up, down, left and right with the keyboard or on-screen controls.
- ▸Fire in the direction your tank is facing.
- ▸Drive over bonuses to collect them.
Your first run
- Look at the layout of the first level and find your base at the bottom.
- Move to a position where you can cover the main paths to the base.
- Destroy the first enemies as they come down the map.
- Collect any bonus that appears, especially shields and upgrades.
- After finishing a few levels, open the constructor and try building a simple map.
How to survive longer
Guard the base
Your base is your real life bar. Enemies that slip past you will head for it, so stay close enough to intercept them. Covering the main routes to the base is often more effective than hunting tanks far up the map.
Use walls carefully
Brick walls can be destroyed by both you and the enemy. Shooting a wall opens a new line of fire, but it can also open a path to your base. Think before you blast through your own cover.
Make bonuses count
The timer bonus freezes enemies, the bomb clears the screen and the base upgrade reinforces your defences. Grab them as soon as it is safe, and save their effects for the moments when the map is busiest.
Quick tips
- ★Stay between the enemies and your base.
- ★Upgrades make your shells stronger — collect them early.
- ★Trees hide tanks; watch for shots coming from them.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Chasing enemies to the top of the map and leaving the base unguarded.
- ✕Shooting away the walls that protect your base.
- ✕Ignoring bonuses that appear on the map.
Deep dive
A classic, extended
Maze tank battles have been loved for decades because they combine simple controls with real tactics: positioning, cover and protecting something other than yourself. Tank Wars keeps that core and layers on more bonuses and terrain types, such as freezing water and bridges, which open up new strategies.
Building your own levels
The constructor is a big part of the game's lasting appeal. You choose blocks from a selector and place them on the grid to create your own maps, then save and play them. It is a great way to design deliberately tricky layouts, share ideas with friends or simply experiment with how different terrain changes the battle.
Who it suits
Tank Wars suits players who enjoy tactical action and nostalgic arcade games. It is non-graphic — tanks explode, but there is no gore — so it is fine for most ages.
How Tank Wars compares
Tank Wars and Tank Defender are the two tank games on GAME SPACE. Tank Wars is a top-down maze battle against enemy tanks with a base to protect and a level editor; Tank Defender is an anti-aircraft survival game where you shoot down planes and bombs.
If you enjoy protecting something while fighting, Space Purge has you defending the Earth from asteroids. For more action with progression, SWAT vs Zombies adds a weapon shop between levels.
Tank Wars game data
| Genre | Action |
|---|---|
| Structure | Level-based + level editor |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Typical session | 10–20 minutes |
| Controls | Keyboard or touch |
| Best for | Fans of classic tactical arcade games |
| Screen | Landscape (1920×1080 native) |
| Touch screen support | Yes |
| Keyboard support | Yes |
| Saves scores in your browser | Yes |
| Level editor | Yes |
| Image files in the build | 313 |
| Audio files in the build | 31 |
| Price | Free — no download, no account |
Screen, input, save and file data are read directly from the game’s own build files, so they describe the exact version you play here.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I make my own levels?
- Yes. The constructor lets you place blocks on a grid and save your own maps to play.
- What happens if my base is destroyed?
- The game ends, so protecting the base is as important as destroying enemy tanks.
- What do the bonuses do?
- They include extra lives, shields, a timer that freezes enemies, bombs, weapon upgrades, base reinforcement and a bonus that freezes water.
- Are there cheat codes?
- The game includes an optional cheat-code screen, but playing without it is the real challenge.
The bottom line
Tank Wars is a rich take on the classic maze tank battle, with plenty of bonuses and a level constructor that keeps it fresh long after you finish the built-in levels.
Keep exploring
- Compare and rank all Action games
- Read our guide: Action Game Tactics: Tanks, Dragons, Zombies and Bricks
